Last but not least, we have the second 12'' by Calculated X- released in 1983. Taking over where their first 12'' (uploaded here, for those who missed it) left off, there's more of the same infectious new wave/post-punk grooves present here, with a slightly poppier edge. Let's dive right into this one, shall we?
Calculated X- Some Change/No Change 12'' 1. Some Change No Change 2. Cool The Water 3. You Will Know Us 4. Don't Look At You
Don't forget- there is a CD-reissue of all these tracks available on X-Tracked records. You can grab a copy here, which I highly recommend if you enjoy these two 12'' records as much as I do! There's a few bonus tracks and live cuts as an extra incentive, so be sure to nab it while the getting is good!
Second on the slab is this fantastic LP from Klein & M.B.O. It's a little more disco-tinged than what I usually post around these parts, but there's still some great minimal synth grooves kicking around here, combined with some classic italo production. As it stands, the project was not only successful in its native land, it also inspired the budding Chicago house movement.
The project was conceived by Tony Carrasco (USA) and Mario Boncaldo (Italy), two standout musicians in the disco scene. Vocals were performed by Italian jazz singer Roosanna Casal and a US singer named Naimy Hackett, while Davide Piatto lent a hand with some of the arrangements.
Despite the misleading title, this isn't the band's first release. However, it contains nearly all of the tracks released on various 12'' singles, including the vocal version of "Dirty Talk" from 1982, their most famous track. In fact, it seems as if this release is simply a reissue of De-Ja-Vu, released a year prior on another label. I haven't heard this LP, so I can't be sure if the mixes are exactly the same, but my guess is that this LP is a clever reissue, released to capture the project's growing influence in the US.
With that in mind, here's the breakdown:
Klein & M.B.O.- First LP 1. The Big Apple 2. The MBO Theme 3. Wonderful 4. Dirty Talk 5. De-Ja-Vu 6. I Love You
Not much is known about Calculated X, aside from their American (Tennessee) origins, and contributions by the late Bobby Bowie (no relation to David, I'm afraid). That said, this particular 12'', released in 1982, is one of the very best dark synth records of all time. All three tracks are pure class, especially the driving "Dream Affair," one of my favorite tracks to spin here in New York.
It seems as if the band has also released a full length record, but I can't seem to find much information on it. That all said, if anyone's able to fill in the gaps and tell more of the Calculated X story, feel free. Otherwise, here's the info for this killer 12''.
Calculated X- Untitled 12'' 1. Four Windows 2. Girl Like You 3. Dream Affair
Here's the first of two short posts for the day. Uploaded below, we have the lone 12'' by minimal wave/synthpop band Doppler Effect. As there were two bands who went by this name as early as the 1980s, there's little information to be found on this particular act, but I do believe they're a four/five piece American band, at the very least. Otherwise, this particular 12'' features three hi-energy wave tracks, essential for any aspiring DJ. The final track on the 12'', "Four Day Romance" has been compiled and included among several classic minimal wave gems. Meanwhile, the band seems to have contributed two stand-alone tracks on the 1984 compilation Hit the Floor but the jury's still out about the origin of these tracks.
If anyone has any further information about this band or the above noted release, feel free to drop a note. Otherwise, here's the information for this particular 12'', released in 1988.
Doppler Effect- Hard At Work 12'' 1. Hard At Work 2. I Don't Wanna Be Your Man 3. Four Day Romance
Here's a request of sorts for a classic minimal synthpop gem. Xex were a more experimental wave band, formed in South River, New Jersey. They were a mysterious affair, releasing one record in 1980 and disappearing soon after. The band "began" as a high school kazoo trio. Member Waw Pierogi's interest in science led to several unique delay and echo experiments in the early years, most of which were employed on the band's debut. However, though outfit had little musical technique, their trials and experiments yielded several songs, and after their first performance, the original trio of Waw, Thumbalina Gugielmo, and Alex Zander brought in two of their friends/fans to round out the lineup. Thus, after several experiments and debates, Xex was officially born in 1978.
The band spent the next two years constructing several tracks utilizing minimal synth techniques, semi-conventional song structures, and male and female vocal experiments. Due to the nature of their project and the band's limited abilities, live shows were often inconsistent and humanistic, and often featured performance art and video accompianments.
The original pressing of Group:Xex sold little over a thousand copies. Soon after its release, additional members David Anderson and Jon-Boy Diode departed as Xex completed work on a second record, which due to limited funding and a since-deteriorated master tape, has not yet seen the light of day, and may never will. The original trio continued to work together along with new member Cookie Ruggerio (who previous involvement with the band was limited to walking a stuffed cat during a performance of 'Kitty'). Only a few tracks have surfaced, and mid 80s performances of the band did not include Waw Pierogi.
In 2004, cult interest in the band culminated in a proper reissue of Group:Xex, complete with several demo cuts from the band's original sessions. Just a year before, Alex Zander passed away from a heart attack.
Here's the information for the CD release of Group:Xex.
Xex- Group:Xex (reissue) 1. Fashion Hurts 2. You Think 3. Snga 4. Rome On $5 A Day 5. Party 6. Saint Vitus' Dance 7. Svetlana 8. Don't Blame Me 9. Holland Tunnel 10. Kitty 11. Cops 12. Delta Five 13. Fashion Hurts (Demo) 14. Svetlana (Demo) 15. Saint Vitus' Dance (Demo) 16. Cops (Demo) 17. You Think (Demo) 18. Snga (Demo)
I'm not sure how official this is, but a youtube search comes up with a clipped together video for 'Kitty,' so take a peek below:
This is one of the few available records I've posted as of late, so if you dig on these tracks, be sure to trash these mp3s post-haste and pick yourself up a copy of the cd reissue, which comes complete with extensive liner notes and further information about the band. Click below to order a copy!
Although neither of these artists need a lengthy formal introduction, today's writeup will feature a two track single, an exciting and stellar collaboration by two great experimental artists.
Einstürzende Neubauten (translation: collapsing new buildings) formed in 1980 in West Berlin, the brainchild of several local avant-garde musicians. Since then, the band has deconstructed the face of popular music, remaining an active, prolific, and powerful force in industrial and experimental music.
Lydia Lunch is an American musician and poet. She was the former frontwoman of influential NYC no-wave act Teenage Jesus & the Jerks until the band disbanded in 1979. She then persued a solo career, offering up several classic records and collaborations, and has since explored film, poetry, and other creative disciplines.
In 1982, as the two were gaining steam and exploring the boundaries of music with their own respective acts, Einstürzende Neubauten would record but two tracks with Lydia Lunch, also featuring contributions from Birthday Party/Crime & the City Solution guitarist Rowland S. Howard. What resulted is a true masterpiece of experimental work, a frightening two track 12'' single entitled Thirsty Animal. Combining the subtleties and talents of both units, these two pieces are among the most powerful and harrowing tracks that either would record.
...and here they are, for your listening 'pleasure:'
